Search Results (26)

Increased precipitation and extreme weather due to climate change can remobilize recent and legacy environmental contaminants from soil, sediment, and sewage overflows. Heavy metals are naturally distributed in Earth’s crust, but anthropogenic activity has resulted in concentrated emissions of toxic heavy metals and deposition in surrounding communities. Cities around the world are burdened with heavy metal pollution from past and present industrial activity. The city of Camden, NJ, represents a valuable case study of climate impacts on heavy metal mobilization in stormwater runoff due to similar legacy and present-day industrial pollution that has taken place in Camden and in many other cities. Various studies have shown that lead (Pb) and other toxic heavy metals have been emitted in Camden due to historic and recent industrial activity, and deposited in nearby soils and on impervious surfaces. However, it is not known if these heavy metals can be mobilized in urban stormwater, particularly after periods of high precipitation. In this study, Camden, NJ stormwater was collected from streets and parks after heavy rain events in the winter and spring for analysis with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). Lead was by far the most abundant of the four target elements in stormwater samples followed by Hg, Cd, and As. The locations with the highest Pb concentrations, up to 686.5 ppb, were flooded allies and streets between commercial and residential areas. The highest concentrations of Hg (up to 11.53 ppb, orders of magnitude lower than Pb) were found in partially flooded streets and ditches. Lead stormwater concentrations exceed EPA safe drinking levels at the majority of analyzed locations, and Hg stormwater concentrations exceed EPA safe drinking levels at all analyzed locations. While stormwater is not generally ingested, dermal contact and hand-to-mouth behavior by children are potential routes of exposure. Heavy metal concentrations were lower in stormwater collected from parks and restored areas of Camden, indicating that these areas have a lower heavy metal exposure risk. This study shows that heavy metal pollution can be mobilized in stormwater runoff, resulting in elevated exposure risk in industrial cities. Full article

Abandoned smelting sites in karst terrain pose a serious environmental problem due to the complex relationship between specific hydrogeological elements and heavy metal contamination. This review combines work from across the globe to consider how karst-specific features (i.e., rapid underground drainage, high permeability, and carbonate mineralogy) influence the mobility, speciation, and bioavailability of “metallic” pollutants, such as Pb, Cd, Zn, and As. In some areas, such as Guizhou (China), the Cd content in the surface soil is as high as 23.36 mg/kg, indicating a regional risk. Molecular-scale analysis, such as synchrotron-based XAS, can elucidate the speciation forms that underlie toxicity and remediation potential. Additionally, we emphasize discrepancies between karst in Asia, Europe, and North America and synthesize cross-regional contamination events. The risk evaluation is complicated, particularly when dynamic flow systems and spatial heterogeneity are permanent, and deep models like DI-NCPI are required as a matter of course. The remediation is still dependent on the site; however, some technologies, such as phytoremediation, biosorption, and bioremediation, are promising if suitable geochemical and microbial conditions are present. This review presents a framework for integrating molecular data and hydrogeological concepts to inform the management of risk and sustainable remediation of legacy metal pollution in karst. Full article

Peanut faces yield constraints due to aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils. The multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family is known for extruding organic compounds and transporting plant hormones and secondary metabolites. However, the MATE transporter family has not yet been reported in peanuts under the Al stress condition. In this genome-wide study, we identified 111 genes encoding MATE proteins from the cultivated peanut genome via structural analysis, designated as AhMATE1–AhMATE111. Encoded proteins ranged from 258 to 582 aa residues. Based on their phylogenetic relationship and gene structure, they were classified into six distinct groups. Genes were distributed unevenly on twenty peanut chromosomes. Chr-05 exhibited the higher density of 12%, while chr-02 and chr-11 have the lowest 1% of these loci. Peanut MATE genes underwent a periodic strong to moderate purifying selection pressure during evolution, exhibiting both tandem and segmental duplication events. Segmental duplication accounted for 82% of the events, whereas tandem duplication represented 18%, with both events predominantly driving their moderate expansion. Further investigation of seven AhMATE genes expression profiles in peanut root tips resulted in distinct transcriptional responses at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h post-Al treatment. Notably, AhMATE genes exhibited greater transcriptional changes in the Al-tolerant cultivar 99-1507 compared to the Al-sensitive cultivar ZH2 (Zhonghua No.2). Our findings provide the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the MATE family in cultivated peanuts, highlighting their potential roles in response to Al stress. Full article

The Amazon rainforest plays a fundamental role in regulating the global climate and therefore receives special attention when Brazilian environmental issues gain prominence on the global stage. However, other Brazilian biomes, such as the Pampa and the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil, have been facing significant environmental challenges, either independently or under the influence of ecological changes observed in the Amazon region. The state of Rio Grande do Sul is located in the extreme south of Brazil and in 2024 was hit by major rainfalls that caused devastating floods. The Pampa is a non-forest biome found in Brazil only in Rio Grande do Sul. This biome is seriously threatened by loss of vegetation cover and many classes of pollutants, including pesticides and plastics. Mining ventures are also important sources of soil, water and air pollution by potentially toxic elements in Rio Grande do Sul, threatening both the Pampa and the Atlantic Forest. Furthermore, southern Brazil is often affected by pollution caused by smoke coming from fires observed in distant biomes such as the Pantanal and the Amazon. Considering the significant environmental challenges observed in southern Brazil, this article revisits the historical participation of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazilian environmentalism and highlights the main environmental challenges currently observed in the state, followed by an in-depth analysis of the effects of pollution and extreme weather events on biodiversity and human health in the region. This review encompassed specifically the following categories of pollutants: potentially toxic elements (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, titanium), air pollutants, plastics, and pesticides. Pathogen-related pollution in the context of extreme weather events is also addressed. This article emphasizes the critical importance of often-overlooked biomes in Brazilian conservation efforts, such as the Pampa biome, while also underscoring the interconnectedness of climate change, pollution, their shared influence on human well-being and ecological balance, using Rio Grande do Sul as a case study. Full article

This paper investigated how increased soil temperatures affect soil mineralogy and major and trace element oxide concentrations and the implications of these effects on the mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in heat-affected soils amended with sewage sludge. The aim was to determine the efficiency of sewage sludge as an immobilizer of PTEs in heat-affected PTE-contaminated soils. Soil samples were heated to 150 °C, 300 °C, 500 °C, and 750 °C and later amended with stabilized sewage sludge at different rates. The concentrations of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in the different geochemical fractions of the soils were determined before heating, after heating, and after sewage sludge application. Increased soil temperatures affected the mineral assemblage and the concentrations of some major and trace element oxides and the degree of weathering of the soils. These changes were, however, insignificant. The segregation of PTEs into the different soil geochemical fractions before and after heating varied. High soil temperatures resulted in an increase in PTE concentrations in the non-residual fractions of the soil (F1, F2, and F3) with a consequent increase in their mobility. The application of sewage sludge to heated and unheated soils reduced PTE concentrations in the F1 and F2 fractions of both soils, whereas it increased PTE concentrations in the F3 and F4 fractions by up to 30% for As and Cu, 20% for Cd, 25% for Co, 60% for Cr and Ni, 50% for Pb, and 55% for Zn. Significant immobilization of the PTEs was observed in the heat-affected soils that received higher amount of sewage sludge. Fire events could increase the mobility of PTEs in soils, but sewage sludge could still effectively immobilize these PTEs, although it needs to be applied at higher application rates. Full article

Soil salinity is an emerging phenomenon threatening arid and semiarid areas due to changing climatic events. Salinity, in combination with other elemental contaminants, can often harm crop performance and productivity. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the mitigating effect of Claroideoglomus etunicatum, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), on combined boron (B) toxicity and salt stress symptoms in maize plants. After the stress and AMF treatments, plants were subjected to a wide range of analyses, such as AMF colonization rates, ion leakage, plant biomass, and concentration of B, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese in root and shoot tissues. The results showed that the combined stress did not affect the AMF colonization rate. AMF inoculation significantly increased plant biomass, the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, and shoot B, sodium, and copper concentrations, but reduced root B concentrations and ion leakage. AMF inoculation slightly increased root dry weight and the sodium, potassium, zinc, copper and Mn contents in shoots under combined B and salinity stress, while AMF reduced the electrolyte leakage in leaves. It is inferred that AMF can ameliorate B toxicity in maize by improving biomass and reducing B concentration in plant tissues. Our research implies that C. etunicatum could be a valuable candidate for assisting in the remediation of boron-contaminated and saline soils. Full article

The use of strobilurin fungicides in agriculture has increased steadily during the past 25 years, and although strobilurins have minimal water solubility, they regularly appear in surface waters, at times in concentrations approaching toxic levels for aquatic life. The present study examined concentrations of strobilurin fungicides in designated trout streams draining an agricultural watershed in southeastern Minnesota, USA, where fungicides may have contributed to a recent fish kill. Water samples (n = 131) were analyzed for the presence of five different strobilurin fungicides (azoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin). Samples were collected via grab and automated sampling during baseflow and stormflow events throughout an entire crop-growing season from sites on each of the three forks of the Whitewater River. Detection frequencies for the five strobilurins ranged from 44 to 82%. Fluoxastrobin and pyraclostrobin concentrations were above known toxic levels in 3% and 15% of total samples analyzed, respectively. The highest concentrations were detected in mid-summer (mid-June to mid-August) samples, coincident with likely strobilurin applications. Lower concentrations were present in water samples collected during the nonapplication periods in spring and fall, suggesting groundwater–stream interactions or steady leaching of fungicides from watershed soils or stream sediments. Further study is required to determine strobilurin concentrations in sediments, soils, and groundwater. Better tracking and guidance regarding strobilurin use is necessary to adequately protect aquatic life as fungicide use continues to increase. Full article

Beauveria bassiana is a dimorphic and entomopathogenic fungus with different ecological roles in nature. In pathogenic fungi, yeast-to-mycelial conversion, which is controlled by environmental factors, is required for virulence. Here, we studied the effects of different stimuli on the morphology of two B. bassiana strains and compared the toxicities of culture filtrates. In addition, we explored the role of volatiles as quorum sensing-like signals during dimorphic transition. The killing assays in Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) showed that strain AI2 isolated from a mycosed insect cadaver had higher toxicity than strain AS5 isolated from soil. Furthermore, AI2 showed earlier yeast-to-mycelial switching than AS5. However, an increase in inoculum size induced faster yeast-to-mycelium conversion in AS5 cells, suggesting a cell-density-dependent phenomenon. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses showed that the fingerprint of the volatiles was strain-specific; however, during the morphological switching, an inverse relationship between the abundance of total terpenes and 3-methylbutanol was observed in both strains. Fungal exposure to 3-methylbutanol retarded the yeast-to-mycelium transition. Hence, this study provides evidence that volatile compounds are associated with critical events in the life cycle of B. bassiana. Full article

In the current search for products that are friendly to the environment, the intent is to reduce the use of domestic, food and industrial waste of mineral origin, thereby creating new products that are functional in industrial and agricultural processes. That is why the use of raw chicken skin fat was evaluated for the creation of a biolubricant with possible applications in the operation of heavy machinery, such as agricultural tractors. The acute toxicity of the biolubricant made from transesterified fatty acids obtained from chicken skin fat was determined experimentally, using bioassays with Eisenia fetida as a test organism, by means of the median lethal concentration (LC50) using the probit method (p < 0.05) on the filter paper at 48 h and on an artificial substrate at 14 days, resulting in an LC50 of 878.675 mg mL⁻¹ or 0.0268 mg cm⁻² and 35.2348 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Likewise, the physiological damage was determined by means of histology, and it could be observed that there was no damage on the Eisenia fetida cell tissue. This indicates that the biolubricant is suitable for use in agricultural machinery since, in the event of an accidental spill, it does not cause damage to the soil or the organisms that live in it, as well as to the people who handle this type of product in their daily work. Full article

Zinc is one of the more mobile metals in the soil and thus involves the risk of entering the food chain. Zinc compounds are used in the galvanization process, which is assumed to be safe for the environment. However, random events or failures such as unsealing bathtubs with liquid zinc or hydrochloric acid, as well as violent fires in industrial halls, may pose a real threat to the environment, including human health. Therefore, this research was carried out to determine the content of zinc and selected potentially toxic metals in arable soils after a failure in a galvanizing plant located in the village of Dębska Wola (southeastern Poland). In addition, the potential risk associated with excessive accumulation of identified pollutants in the environment was assessed. In order to determine the level of contamination, soil samples were taken, and basic physical and chemical properties were analysed. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in the soil were determined using the atomic emission spectrometry technique with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES), and pH measurements were performed using the potentiometric method after prior wet mineralisation of the research samples. The analysed samples had a varied pH of the organic–mineral horizon from pH_H2O 4.66 to pH_H2O 5.33 and from pH_KCl 3.89 to pH_KCl 5.06. As a result of a failure, toxic metal fumes were released into the atmosphere, causing concentrations of Zn in the soil samples from 0–5 cm in the range of 1201–2007 mg∙kg⁻¹, as well as Pb (109–509 mg∙kg⁻¹) and Cd (4.6–17 mg∙kg⁻¹). High contents of zinc and lead found in several soil samples are of anthropogenic nature and require detailed monitoring in order to eliminate the risk associated with their accumulation. The study area should be re-analysed to determine the rate of reclamation of degraded soils. Full article

The worldwide increase in fire events has attracted global attention, as potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have been widely recognised within the produced ash. Ash is transported, dispersed by wind, and deposited into the soil and surficial waters even far from fires. Considering that their composition can be enriched in PTEs, they represent a potential hazard for humans and other animals exposed to airborne particles and, afterwards, to resuspended matter, even at a considerable distance from the source. This study aimed to assess the environmental impact of fire events that occurred during the 2017 summer season at two different sites in the Campania region (Southern Italy). One of the fires affected a waste disposal site west of Caserta, and one involved a forest on the slopes of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius, a few kilometres southeast of Naples, the regional capital. Changes to the PTE concentration in the topsoil in the surroundings of both sites, after the fire events, were investigated. Enrichment factors (EFs) of a selection of PTEs were determined by comparing geochemical data from two sampling campaigns, one completed before and one after the fire events. A combined application of multivariate statistics (based on robust principal component analysis; RPCA) and geospatial analysis was used to determine the materials affected by the fire on the slopes of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius, and roughly locate their place. Specifically, a statistically significant enrichment of Hg was identified in the topsoil of both study areas. In addition, in soil samples collected at Mt. Somma-Vesuvius, more PTEs showed significant changes in their concentration. For both areas, Hg enrichments were related to the deposition of ash proceeding from waste burning; furthermore, as regards the soil of the Vesuvian area, Cr and Cd enrichments were associated with the fallout of ash generated during biomass combustion, and the increase in Cu and Zn concentrations was linked to the burning of crops on cultivated lands. Apart from the specific results obtained, concerning the examined case studies, the methods applied can be seen as a reliable option to determine the compositional characteristics of materials burned during a fire event, even with the prospect of improving the eventual assessment process of the related environmental hazards. Full article

Soil acidity is one of the major soil-degradation events throughout the world, and the long-term application of nitrogenous fertilizers is thought to be a main cause of soil acidity. In the present experiment, we collected soil and tea (Camellia sinensis L.) leaf samples from five representative tea gardens in Bangladesh and evaluated soil nutrient pools and biochemical properties of tea leaves. The results showed that there was a negative relationship between soil pH and the amount of applied nitrogenous fertilizers. Moreover, continuous application of traditional fertilizers over twenty-five years promoted not only the deficiency of phosphorus (P) and mineral-based cations, such as potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺), but also increased manganese (Mn²⁺) and aluminum (Al³⁺) toxicity in soils, which suppressed the yield and quality of tea. Crucially, tea leaf production remained almost similar (average 1079.77 kg ha⁻¹) from 1995 to 2015, while the application doses of urea, TSP, and MoP increased by 24.69%, 18.92%, and 16.67%, respectively, in garden soils. However, the pH value of soil declined up to 24% from 1992 to 2020 in the tested gardens. Consequently, the availability of K⁺, P, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ decreased by 56%, 25%, 55%, and 49%, respectively, in those tea garden soils. In addition, the quality of tea leaves was severely affected, as evident by the reduced levels of total flavonoids, polyphenols, soluble solids, vitamin C, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2. Moreover, free-radical scavenging activity (DPPH), caffeine, and tannin concentration were increased in tea leaves, which indicated that tea plants were potentially being stressed. Therefore, we study concluded that long-term application of traditional nitrogenous fertilizers can be an important regulator of lowering garden soil pH, which reduces native soil nutrient pools and thereby the yield and quality of tea leaves. Full article

Heavy metals and metalloids like cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead are frequently found in the soil, water, food, and atmosphere; trace amounts can cause serious health issues to the human organism. These toxic trace elements (TTE) affect almost all the organs, mainly the heart, kidney, liver, lungs, and the nervous system, through increased free radical formation, DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and protein sulfhydryl depletion. This work aims to advance our understanding of the mechanisms behind lipid accumulation via increased free fatty acid levels in circulation due to TTEs. The increased lipid level in the myocardium worsens the heart function. This dysregulation of the lipid metabolism leads to damage in the structure of the myocardium, inclusive fibrosis in cardiac tissue, myocyte apoptosis, and decreased contractility due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, it is discussed herein how exposure to cadmium decreases the heart rate, contractile tension, the conductivity of the atrioventricular node, and coronary flow rate. Arsenic may induce atherosclerosis by increasing platelet aggregation and reducing fibrinolysis, as exposure interferes with apolipoprotein (Apo) levels, resulting in the rise of the Apo-B/Apo-A1 ratio and an elevated risk of acute cardiovascular events. Concerning mercury and lead, these toxicants can cause hypertension, myocardial infarction, and carotid atherosclerosis, in association with the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress. This review offers a complete overview of the critical factors and biomarkers of lipid and TTE-induced cardiotoxicity useful for developing future protective interventions. Full article

The use, production, and disposal of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs), including graphene-related materials (GRMs), raise concerns and questions about possible adverse effects on human health and the environment, considering the lack of harmonized toxicological data on ENMs and the ability of these materials to be released into the air, soil, or water during common industrial processes and/or accidental events. Within this context, the potential release of graphene particles, their agglomerates, and aggregates (NOAA) as a result of sanding of a battery of graphene-based polyester resin composite samples intended to be used in a building was examined. The analyzed samples were exposed to different weathering conditions to evaluate the influence of the weathering process on the morphology and size distribution of the particles released. Sanding studies were conducted in a tailored designed sanding bench connected to time and size resolving measurement devices. Particle size distributions and particle number concentration were assessed using an optical particle counter (OPC) and a condensation particle counter (CPC), respectively, during the sanding operation. A scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis was performed to adequately characterize the morphology, size, and chemical composition of the released particles. A toxicity screening study of pristine and graphene-based nanocomposites released using the aquatic macroinvertebrate Daphnia magna and relevant human cell lines was conducted to support risk assessment and decision making. The results show a significant release of nanoscale materials during machining operations, including differences attributed to the % of graphene and weathering conditions. The cell line tests demonstrated a higher effect in the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco2 than in the human fibroblasts (A549 cell line), which means that composites released to the environment could have an impact on human health and biota. Full article

Sustainable chemicals and materials management deals with both the risks and the opportunities of chemicals and products. It is not only focused on hazards and risks of chemicals for human health and the environment but also includes the management of material flows from extraction of raw materials up to waste. It becomes apparent meanwhile that the ever-growing material streams endanger the Earth system. According to a recent publication of Persson et al., the planetary boundaries for chemicals and plastics have already been exceeded. Therefore, sustainable chemicals and materials management must become a third pillar of international sustainability policy. For climate change and biodiversity, binding international agreements already exist. Accordingly, a global chemicals and materials framework convention integrating the current fragmented and non-binding approaches is needed. The impacts of chemicals and materials are closely related to climate change. About one third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are linked to the production of chemicals, materials and products and the growing global transport of goods. Most of it is assigned to the energy demand of production and transport. GHG emissions must be reduced by an expansion of the circular economy, i.e., the use of secondary instead of primary raw materials. The chemical industry is obliged to change its feedstock since chemicals based on mineral oil and natural gas are not sustainable. Climate change in turn has consequences for the fate and effects of substances in the environment. Rising temperature implies higher vapor pressure and may enhance the release of toxicants into the atmosphere. Organisms that are already stressed may react more sensitively when exposed to toxic chemicals. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events may re-mobilize contaminants in river sediments. Increasing chemical and material load also threatens biodiversity, e.g., by the release of toxic chemicals into air, water and soil up to high amounts of waste. Fertilizers and pesticides are damaging the biocoenoses in agrarian landscapes. In order to overcome these fatal developments, sustainable management of chemicals and materials is urgently needed. This includes safe and sustainable chemicals, sustainable chemical production and sustainable materials flow management. All these three sustainability strategies are crucial and complement each other: efficiency, consistency and sufficiency. This obligates drastic changes not only of the quantities of material streams but also of the qualities of chemicals and materials in use. A significant reduction in production volumes is necessary, aiming not only to return to a safe operating space with respect to the planetary boundary for chemicals, plastics and waste but also in order to achieve goals regarding climate and biodiversity. Full article